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Health department seeks sole‑source and bridge contracts for DNA, newborn screening and licensing IT
Summary
DOH defended sole‑source justifications for maintenance/consumables on Andy rapid DNA equipment and for Natus Sensory NeoMetrix newborn‑screening database; the committee also approved a Tyler Technologies bridge contract for licensing workflows while a new RFP is completed.
The Department of Health asked the committee to approve several contracts intended to maintain critical public‑health operations. Mike Critchfield (DOH legislative liaison) described a sole‑source request for Andy Corporation to provide maintenance, support and consumables for the state's Andy rapid DNA system, saying the vendor is the original equipment manufacturer and is the only provider of compatible materials.
"Andy Corporation is the original manufacturer of equipment owned by the state," Critchfield said. "No other vendors are authorized or capable of servicing the equipment or supplying compatible materials." Senators asked why this necessity was not included in the original RFP; DOH procurement staff replied that consumable needs are hard to predict at purchase time and packaging maintenance and consumables as a single cohesive contract exceeded procurement thresholds.
DOH also requested a sole‑source contract with Natus Sensory to continue support of the NeoMetrix laboratory information management system used by the state's newborn screening program. Critchfield said the NeoMetrix contract has a maximum liability of $760,250 and is funded primarily through newborn screening current services revenue with small federal and state shares.
Finally, DOH sought a two‑year bridge contract with Tyler Technologies for the Versa licensing and regulation application while a competitive RFP is completed for a new licensing/regulatory system. DOH said the bridge would avoid manual licensure processing that would delay renewals and increase administrative burden; the proposed two‑year liability total was $1,384,155. Committee members asked about procurement options and timeline; DOH said the competitive process is underway and the bridge is intended only to ensure continuity.
All items were approved by voice vote.
